Quincy Wilson Made History as the Youngest Ever US Track Olympian

At 16 years old, Quincy Wilson is officially the youngest American track Olympian in history after his performance in the 4x400-meter relay on Friday. He picked up speed on the track, but according to the Associated Press, the Olympian doesn't yet have his driver's license — he put off getting it to compete in the Paris Games.

According to NBC News, Wilson took the title as the youngest US track Olympian from runner Jim Ryun, who was 17 when he competed in the 1964 Olympics. Despite his history-making appearance, Wilson said he “wasn't 100% myself” during the race, in which he handed over the baton in 7th place. Still, the US finished third in the event, qualifying to advance to the final. It's not clear yet if Wilson will compete in the final.

Though he said it wasn't his best performance, Wilson was grateful to be an Olympian. “Thankful for the moment,” he posted on X, accompanying a photo of his history-making appearance.

On August 6, Wilson reflected on making it to the Olympics after so many years of dreaming about it. “7 years ago, I was at the Junior Olympics and won my first national championship in the 400! I told myself I wanted to become an Olympian,” he wrote on X. “Now the dream has came true.”

Wilson was born in Chesapeake, Virginia, but relocated to Potomac, Maryland once he started running to attend a school with a good athletic program, according to NBC Olympics. Off the track, NBC reports Wilson is a big fan of video games. He particularly favors Call of Duty: Warzone and Fortnite.

Though he made history in track, Wilson isn't the only teenage star at the Paris Games. Arisa Trew, 14, became the youngest gold medalist at the Games in the Women's Skateboarding Park Final, and made history as Australia's youngest medalist ever. The youngest Olympian at the 2024 Olympics is China's 11-year-old Zheng Haohao, a skateboarder.

As to when Quincy Wilson might get his license? He doesn't know. In June, just before he qualified for the Olympic team, Wilson said that he doesn't know when he'll find time to get his license.

“If I make the team tomorrow, you never know,” he said. “I can't take the classes because you have to take three weeks. I don't know when I'm going to get my driver's license at this point.”